TuckerMcG

j0hnga1t,

Thanks so much for all the information. I couldn't have asked for a better explanation. It's a lot to remember but having it in writing definitely helps. Thanks again for being so helpful. I really appreciate it

Wow that's a beautiful tattoo. My family and I are thinking of going to Thailand sometime in the near future and I am definitely interested in visiting Wat Bang Phra and getting a tattoo. I have only recently started studying Buddhism (part of me wanting to go to Thailand is to learn more) and am afraid that if I go to such a spiritual place that I might do something taboo. Is there anything I should be careful not to do while getting this done? Also how did you go about picking that particular tattoo? I doubt by the time that I get there that I will have enough knowledge to simply look at different symbols and know their meanings and I definitely don't want to pull a Britney Spears and get something like this without knowing what it really means lol. Thanks for your help

Here is a pic of my Yant

I received it in October from Wat Bang Phra. I was staying in BKK at the time and rented a car and driver for the day (1,600 baht). I arrived at the temple in the morning which is recommended in order to beat the crowds. Also go on a weekday if you can because it is less crowded than weekends. When I got there, there were three people being worked on (the monk tattoos one person while the other two people hold the skin taunt for him and then they rotate) and three people waiting (including me). I purchased the offerings for the monk at the temple (a pack of cigarettes, a flower and pack of inscents, no more that 100 baht, then you have to also put 25 baht in the offering plate). They have a scroll on the wall with the tattoos they offer, so you can choose. Though if you are adventurous, you can let the monk choose for you.....The needles they use are soaked in alcohol. Anyway, while I was waiting for my turn (I was in the next group of three), the monk went to lunch. After he returned around 1230-100, there were about 12 people waiting. Everyone was nice. I thought I would be squeezed out being the only foreigner, but a thai guy helped me. I had my girlfriend with me, but she went roaming around the temple and didn't get back in time to translate for me BUT luckily she spoke with the thai guy who helped me and explained what I was looking for.

It was VERY painful, but then again, it was my first tattoo. I'm happy with it. They don't offer any ointment or gauze or saran wrap so bring your own. I had my gf put some neosporin on it and some gauze. It didn't bleed much.

I was tired afterwards for a few weeks. My gf spoke with the monk at her temple and he said that in a prior life I was a Chinese monk and reached a high spriritual level and that the tattoo I received was not at my level and was draining my energy....very interesting.....but that's another story....